Medical billers and coders, also known as medical records specialists, are an essential part of the healthcare system. These professionals make sure patients get the care they need and providers get reimbursed for their services.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing and coding jobs are on the rise, and the industry is expected to grow by 9% over the next decade. Competing for these roles is a lot easier for aspiring billers and coders who take the time to get certified.
Since earning a credible certification entails passing an exam on the fundamentals of billing and coding, getting certified proves to potential employers that you have the skills needed for the job. Here’s everything you need to know about how and why to earn your medical billing and coding certification online.
How to Get Your Medical Billing and Coding Certification Online
Follow these steps to start your medical billing and coding career started off on the right foot:
1. Graduate from high school or earn your GED
You don’t need to have attended college to become a medical biller or coder, but you will need a high school diploma or equivalent to get started.
2. Complete a training program
The best way to learn the skills you need to work in medical billing and coding is to choose a credible training program to complete. An effective program will teach you how to assign the right codes to each procedure, navigate healthcare software, and cover other essential topics.
3. Pass a certification exam
You don’t generally need to be certified to work in medical billing and coding, but passing a certification exam is a surefire way to demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills needed for the job. There are a variety of certifications available for billers and coders, which we’ll cover in the next section.
4. Find a full-time job
Once you’ve earned the certification of your choice, you’ll be ready to not only enter the job market, but also negotiate for a higher salary due to your proven competence. Medical billers and coders work in all kinds of environments, from slow-paced community clinics to large hospital systems.
Medical Billing and Coding Certification Options
As we’ve mentioned, aspiring medical billers and coders have a variety of certification exams to choose from, as well as a few different types of programs to prepare for them.
Before you decide which program to pursue, be sure to familiarize yourself with all of your options. Here’s a general overview to help you get started.
Types of Billing and Coding Certifications
Most healthcare fields have a few credentials you can choose from, but there are an exceptionally large number of billing and coding certification options out there. Most of your choices will fall into one of these categories:
- Core certification in billing or coding: If you’re just starting out in the field or aren’t entirely sure about your long-term career plans, the best place to start is with a core certification that’ll help you land an entry-level billing or coding position. Examples include the certified professional coder (CPC) and certified professional biller (CPB) exams offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
- Dual certification in billing and coding: Those who are sure they’ll go into billing can save themselves some time and money by opting for dual certification in billing and coding rather than taking two separate exams. You can take an AAPC exam to earn both the CPC and CPB certifications at once.
- Specialty coding certifications: If you’re experienced in the field or have a clear idea of where you’d like your career to end up, you can opt to get certified in a specialized type of coding. These specializations can be as broad as outpatient or inpatient, or as specific as cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Examples include the Certified Coding Specialist options provided by the AHIMA and the various specialty certifications for coders offered by the AAPC.
Types of Medical Billing and Coding Programs
Like with certification, you have plenty of options when it comes to deciding where to get trained in medical billing and coding. Here are the most important factors to consider:
- Outcome: Depending on your long-term career goals, you’ll need to decide whether you want a program that you’ll leave with an associate degree, a certificate, or skills you can translate into the workplace. Programs that award degrees or diplomas tend to be longer and more expensive, but can also be more comprehensive.
- Certification: Before you choose your program, you probably want to think through which certification, if any, you hope to earn after you graduate. Aspiring billers and coders have a lot of certifications to choose from, as noted in the previous section.
- Setting: If you need flexibility when it comes to where and when you take your classes, you’ll want to look into online medical billing and coding courses. In-person programs are also available but usually cost more than remote courses.
How to Prepare for Your Medical Billing and Coding Exam
No matter where you decide to get your training, you’ll need to take an exam to earn your medical billing and coding certification if you want to maximize your job prospects and salary potential.
Here’s a brief overview of everything you need to know to prep for your medical billing and coding exam.
Eligibility requirements for medical billing and coding exams
In order to qualify for most credible medical billing and coding exams, you’ll need to either complete an accredited program or have some work experience as a biller or coder.
For example, to take the AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam, you need to have a high school diploma or GED and have completed an in-person or online program that covers medical terminology, anatomy, and other fundamentals of medical billing and coding.
Topics covered on medical billing and coding exams
When it comes to the specific content covered on medical billing and coding certification exams, you can expect all of them to test your understanding of these essential topics:
- CPT codes: The foundation of medical billing and coding, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are created by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to categorize every kind of healthcare service a patient might receive. Insurers use these codes to pay providers appropriately for their services, so billers and coders need to know how to use them accurately.
- Electronic health records: Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare systems use electronic health records (EHRs) to track patients’ health histories in secure software programs. Medical billers and coders need to know how to navigate the most popular EHR software and input the correct CPT codes for any services provided.
- Medical terminology: In order to accurately document patient care, billers and coders need an up-to-date understanding of human anatomy and the medical terminology used to describe various healthcare services.
How much do medical billing and coding exams cost
In addition to whatever tuition you pay for the training program of your choice, you’ll also need to set aside some money to cover any exam fees charged by the organizations that offer them.
For example, the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification exam offered by AHIMA costs $399 per attempt.
How to Know If Getting Certified in Billing and Coding Makes Sense for You
Now that you have a thorough understanding of exactly what it takes to get certified in medical billing and coding, you may want to take a moment to consider whether this investment of time and money makes sense for you personally.
If you’re still on the fence about getting certified in billing and coding, focusing on these factors can help you make the right decision:
- Your strengths and weaknesses: Most medical billers and coders spend the majority of their working hours sitting down in front of a computer rather than interacting with patients or colleagues. You’re more likely to succeed in this role if you’re a detail-oriented person who knows how to navigate complex software programs and doesn’t mind working alone.
- Your financial resources and goals: Medical billers and coders in the U.S. earn an average salary of $50,250 per year, according to the BLS. Keeping in mind the tuition and associated costs of your program and any exams you plan to take, consider whether this investment fits well into your current financial picture and your future goals.
- Your long-term career plans: Another important factor to note is that getting trained in billing and coding can be a great stepping stone on the way to a larger career in medical administration. For example, medical administrative assistants use many of the same skills and knowledge as billers and coders. That’s why Stepful’s Certified Medical Administrative Assistant program includes billing, coding, EHR software, and more in one eight-week, entirely online program.
If you’re not feeling ready to commit to billing and coding, taking a more general healthcare administration course might help you figure out where your strengths and interests lie.
Stepful’s Medical Administrative Assistant program covers the basics of billing and coding in addition to valuable administrative skills like maintaining patient records, scheduling appointments, and more. The program won’t prepare you to earn your medical billing and coding certification, but will set you up for success as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant.
